Highlights of Croatia

Itinerary

• Day 1: Zagreb Arrival

  Welcome to Croatia! Upon your arrival, a private transfer will send you to your hotel. Rest well for your upcoming exploration.

  • Zagreb

• Day 2: Zagreb Walking Tour & Transfer to Opatija

  Zagreb is known for its perfect blend of medieval streets and modern avenues and buildings. Sacred heritage and cozy cafes adorn the greenest city in Europe, immersing you in the very essence of Croatia's capital.

  Meet the heart of Zagreb - the Ban Jelačić Square, pass Kamenita Vrata (Stone Gates), enjoy a pleasant stroll, and see the tower of Lotrščak, the church of St. Mark, and several present-day government venues. The Upper Town grows on you with each step, so count on coming back for more even after the guided walking tour.

  In the afternoon, proceed to the picturesque Kvarner Bay in Opatija, the cradle of Croatian tourism and the city that used to be the favorite spa resort of the Habsburgs and the European aristocracy, including famous personalities such as Mahler, Chekhov, and Isadora Duncan. (Driving time: 2.5 hours.)

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  • Opatija

• Day 3: Istrian Peninsula With Truffles Tasting

  Embark on a day tour to the Istrian Peninsula in the morning. Your first stop is Pula, where you’ll enjoy the 2000-year-old Roman amphitheater. Afterward, relax in Rovinj and Motovun, perhaps the most beautiful city in Istria and the inspiration of many artists. The former inherits Italian architectural style, and the latter will offer you a wonderful truffle-tasting experience. Overnight in Opatija. (Depart at 9:00, return at around 18:00.)

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  • Opatija

• Day 4: Plitvice Lakes National Park

  This morning, take an early departure with your expert guide for the unveiling of Croatia's most beautiful and oldest national park - Plitvice Lakes National Park, under UNESCO protection. The park, consisting of 16 lakes connected by magnificent waterfalls and located in the mountainous region of Lika, is visited mostly on foot - however, the entrance includes a boat ride across the Emerald Green Lake "Kozjak". Along the tour, your guide will share you the stories about the park. The visit to the park grounds takes approximately 3 hours and reveals a special turquoise magic. After the visit, we will continue to Zadar for the night. (Total driving time: approx. 5.5 hours.)

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  • Zadar

• Day 5: Zadar, Dalmatian Wines Tasting & Transfer to Split

  After breakfast at the hotel and check out, it is time to explore Zadar. The historic town of Zadar is rich in cultural and historical monuments, like the Roman Forum dated to the 1st century AD, and the church of St. Donatus dated to the 9th century AD. Of special interest are the famous Zadar Sea Organs, one of a kind for the soothing instrument-like sound of the waves.

  From the Old Town of Zadar, we continue to a local winery in the Dalmatian hinterland. Tasting authentic Dalmatian wines and international Cuvees will be accompanied by delicious Croatian-style Tapas. Departure towards Split for overnight. (Total driving time approx. 3 hours)

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  • Split

• Day 6: Split & Trogir Walking Tour

  Continue your excursion in Split today. As the epicenter of Central Dalmatia, this beautiful city offers sun, sea, beach, culture, and gastronomy. We shall take a walk through the 4th-century Diocletian's Palace and pass by its ancient cellars, the Peristyle, Roman temples (today Christian ones), the Cathedral and the Baptistry, and then the famous Golden Gate. After sightseeing in the town of Split and free time for individual exploring, we start our bus ride towards Trogir, a small town under the cultural protection of UNESCO.

  Trogir is full of buildings and monuments testifying to its rich history. There stands the St. Lawrence's Cathedral with an intricately carved Romanesque portal, the City Loggia from the 15th century, the Ćipiko Palace, the Town Hall, and the Benedictine monastery from the year 1064.

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  • Split

• Day 7: Dubrovnik & Wine Tasting in Ston

  On our way to Dubrovnik, we will stop near Ston Town to visit a local winery and taste the famous "Plavac Mali" wine, a very close relative to the Zinfandel. In this winery, you'll learn about the stories of the ancient winery, where the traditional wine-making business has been passed on for generations. The wine tasting includes a wine presentation on all the specifics of the wine-making process, wine tasting, and a snack. After that, head to Dubrovnik overnight. (Driving time: about 5 hours.)

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  • Dubrovnik

• Day 8: Dubrovnik Walking Tour

  Those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik, said George Bernard Shaw, a renowned Irish playwright. Today, let our guided city tour of Dubrovnik Old Town weave the story of its history and its present into the splendid fabric of fine architecture and magnificent city walls.

  Starting from Pile Square on the eastern side of Dubrovnik Old Town, embark on a walking tour through the maze of narrow streets, lively piazzas, and stunning palaces like Sponza and churches like St. Blaise. Enjoy the moderate tempo of your walk as you stroll down the main thoroughfare of Stradun, all the way to the Cathedral and the Rector's Palace, where you will discover a good synergy between governance and faith which kept Dubrovnik afloat as the independent Republic of Ragusa for 450 years.

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  • Dubrovnik

• Day 9: Dubrovnik Departure

  Time to bid farewell to Croatia. In the morning, your guide will escort you to the Dubrovnik Airport after breakfast.

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